Odisha signs MoU with National Dairy Board for Modern Dairy Plant

KalingaTV News Network

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Dairy Development Board for establishment a modern five lakh litre capacity dairy plant in the state on the on the occasion of World Veterinary Day today.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during  a workshop on “Role Of Livestock Sector for Improving Livelihood, Food Security and Safety” organized by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department at Jaydev Bhawan.

“I am happy that an agreement has been signed today between OMFED and the National Dairy Development Board for establishment of a modern 5 lakh LPD Dairy Plant by OMFED in the State. The milk processing capacity of OMFED will be enhanced from the present level of 6.4 lakh litres per day to 12 lakh litres per day.”

While addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister thanked the veterinarians of the state for their commitment towards prevailing and controlling animal diseases and contributing significantly to increasing the production basket of the farmers through livestock farming.

“Due to persistent and novel initiatives taken by my government in the Animal Resource Sector, the annual milk production in the state has increased from 45 lakh per day in 2009-10 to 56 lakh litres per day in 2017-18. Similarly, annual meat production has substantially increased from 128 thousand metric ton in 2009-10 to 183 thousand metric ton on 2017-18. The Egg production in the state has also experienced a quantum increase of almost three times from 20 lakh eggs per day in 2000-01 to 57 lakh in 2017-18,” Patnaik pointed out.

Distributing engagement orders to 87 livestock inspectors on the occasion, he said, “I am sure you will dedicate yourselves to the development of the Livestock Sector in the State and serve the State for the larger cause of our farming community.”

In the last three years, 224 Veterinary Assistant Surgeon and 688 Livestock Inspector posts have been filled up, the CM informed.

He also launched two new products Vitamin Fortified Milk and Cow Milk for the overall benefit of over four lakh dairy farmers and lakhs of consumers in the state.

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Pradeep Maharathy, Bhubaneswar MP Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Bhubaneswar (North) MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, Chief Secretary AP Padhi and others including officials of National Dairy Development Board were present during the inking of the agreement.